Corrugating machine



Dec. 22, 1953 R. E. OSBORNE ETAL 2,663,351

CORRUGATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 23, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TORS F Russia/l E. Osborne BY Sfan/ey H. Mayer A rTolz/vz: Y

1953 R. E. OSBORNE ET AL 2,663,351

' CORRUGATING MACHINE Filed Oct. 25, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS Ausse/l E. Osborne Sfan/ey /-A Mayer ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 22, 1953 CORRUGATING MACHINE Russell E. Osborne and Stanley H. Moyer,

Mill Valley, Calif.

Application October 23, 1951, Serial No. 252,65

13 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to improvements in a corrugating machine, and the principal object of this invention is to provide a machine whereby corrugations may be impressed upon a strip of material passing through the mach ne at any desired angularity with respect to the line of travel. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of the character described in which a plurality of individual and separate corrugating elements are carried by a pair of cooperatively mounted endless conveyors.

It is further proposed to arrange the corrugating elements in such a manner that each element, regardless of angularity, acts on the material simultaneously throughout the entire width thereof.

It is additionally proposed to arrange the corrugating elements in such a manner that each element is revolvable on its own axis and capable of easy replacement in case the element should be damaged.

It is further contemplated to provide-a machine of the character described that, in one adjustment, makes corrugations across a strip of material carried therethrough and at a right angle thereto.

Another object of our invention is to provide a corrugating machine that, in another adjust-- ment, will make corrugations in a strip of material fed therethrough at any desired angularity with respect to the line of travel.

It is still further proposed to provide a machine or the character described in which adjustment to any desired angularity may be effected by a mere turning movement of the machine on its base.

And finally, it is proposed to provide a corrugating machine that will readily operate on strips of widely varying widths, within the range of the machine. ,7

Further objects and advantages of our corrugating machine will appear as the specification proceeds, and the novel features of our invention will be fully defined in the claims attached hereto.

The preferred form of our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of our corrugating machine;

Figure 2, a top plan view of the same;

Figure 3, shows diagrammatically a horizontal section taken along line 3-3 of Figure 1, with right angle to the line of travel;

Figure 4, a similar section, with the machine set for making corrugations at an oblique angle with respect to the line of travel;

Figure 5, a fragmentary detail view in plan of a portion of a chain conveyor used in our invention; and

Figure 6, a fragmentary detail view in side elevation of a portion of said conveyor.

While we have shown only the preferred form of Our invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of. the claims hereto attached without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, our machine comprises in its principal features, a base I, a pair of frames 2 and 3 having a series of sprocket wheels revolvable therein, and a pair of endless conveyors 4 and 5 carried by the sprockets. I

The base I is suitably supported, at a desired elevation, on a table 6, and presents a flat and horizontal top surface.

The two frames 2 and 3 are substantially identical in form, except for some minor details to be described, and may be of any suitable shape for accommodating the elements supported thereby. Each frame is here shown as comprising a pair of plates 1 set on edge and joined by straps 8, and each frame has two brackets 9 and it projecting inwardly from the lower portion thereof.

The brackets 9 of the two frames are pivoted to the base I, as at H, on vertical axes, and with freedom of swinging movement in horizontal planes, the pivots being suitably spaced, as shown.

The brackets l0 carry pins I2 which are slidable in slots 13 in the base curved circularly about the pivots I l, and the distance between the pivots II. and the-pin I 2 of one frame corresponds to that of the other.

A .bar [4 connects the two pins 92 in such a manner that the distance between the pins l2, center to center, is the same as the distance between the two pivots i I, center to center.

Thus the two pivots H and the two pins l2 may be positioned to form the four corners of a rectangle, as in Figure 3, with the two frames occupying positions of parallelism with respect to a median plane of the machine, indicated at I5; or they may be positioned to occupy the four corners of any desired shape of parallelogram, within the range of the machine, as shown in Figure 4, with the two frames arranged parallel to one another but obliquelywith respect to the former position. Any desired change in the angularity of the framemay be brought about 3 by the mere turning of one of the frames about its pivot H.

Each frame carries a pair of upper sprockets i6, mounted on shafts ll, and a pair of lower sprockets i8 mounted on shafts ii), the upper sprockets of each frame being in horizontal 3111116? ment with one another, longitudinally of the machine, and the lower sprockets being also horizontally alined longitudinally of the machine. The sprockets are all of the same size and corresponding sprockets of the two frames are axially alined. All the sprockets of each frame are disposed in the same vertical plane.

The sprockets are mounted parallel to the frames, and the upper and lower sprockets are closely related, while there is a certain amount of spacing between the front and rear sprockets.

The two conveyors 4 and 5 are of identical construction and are made for training over the up per and lower sprockets respectively. Each conveyor comprises a pair of side chains and transverse rods 2! connecting the same. Each of the chains comprises a series of pivot pins 22 and double sets of links 23 connecting the same with spacers Ed on the pins serving to space the links. These chains are dimensioned and proportioned for training over the sprockets.

The inner links, that is the links of opposing chains facing each other, are formed with outwardly proiecting lips 25 (see Figure 6), and the outer ends of these lips have short stubs 26 projecting therefrom perpendicularly toward the opposing chain. The stubs may be secured by screws 21 for easy removal and replacement.

The two chains of each conveyor are mounted on their respective sprockets in such a manner, that the stubs of one chain are alined with registering stubs of the other chain when the two frames occupy the positions of Figure 3, which may be described as the rectangular position. Registering stubs are interconnected by the rods or links 2%, the ends of which engage over the ends of the stubs by means of ball and socket joints shown at 29, which allow the rods to assume any desired angular position with respect to the stubs and also allow the rods, which are preferably circular in cross-section, to freely revolve on their own axes. Other suitable universal connecticns may be substituted for the ball and socket joints.

It should be noted that the rods, from pivot to pivot, should correspond in length to the distance between the pivots I I, and to the distance, center to center, between the pins 12 on the base, and that all the ball and socket joints, on each side of the machine, should lie in the vertical planes defined by the pivots l l and the pins l2, these planes being indicated in Figures 3, 4 and 5 by the nuineral it. This arrangement allows the rods to follow any swinging movement of the frames about their pivots.

The confronting stretches of the conveyors between the sprockets are guided by shoes 28 to prevent sagging or buckling.

Rotary movement may be imparted to the sprockets by any suitable drive. In the form shown, we provide a central vertical power shaft 3! mounted in a bearing 32 secured upon the table. This shaft drives, through a gear 33, two gears 3 mounted concentric with the fixed axes or pivots ii. The gears drive, through gears 35, vertical shafts 35 mounted upon the outer faces of the frames 2 and 3. And each of the shafts drives the upper and lower front sprockets through bevel gears indicated at 31 and 38,

One of the frames has a forward extension 33 which carries a shaft it! and a spool d i, the latter being in central alinement with the conveyors. The extension may also carry a suitable material treating tank 42, used as a rule for heating or pre-treating the material coming from the spool, and having an exit roller 13, over which the strip of material is guided toward the space between the two conveyors, the material passing over the cross-member 44 and possibly an inclined guide 45, which is old in the art and m used to bias the strip to follow a straight track while passing through the machine.

Our machine can be used on any sheet material having such characteristics that it may be corrugated as is well known to those familiar with corrugating machines and methods.

If it is desired to corrugate the strip or" material transversely to its length, the machine is adjusted to the position illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, with the pins l2 in the inner ends of the slots 53, and the pivots i i and pins i2 arranged to form a rectangle.

Assuming that the material is such as to require softening before being corrugated, it can be fed into the machine, that is, between the two conveyors, in slightly moistened condition. The confronting stretches of the two conveyors are sufiiciently close to cause the projecting rods 2% to interlace and, as the strip enters, the first rod striking it will form a wave in one direction, while the second rod will form a wave in the opposite direction, and so on.

The relatively long stretch between the sprockets will cause each rod to remain in groove or wave for an extended time period so as to allow the wave to set before leaving the machine.

It will be noted that each rod bears upon the material at the same time throughout the width of the material and is free to roll into the wave thus eliminating any tendency of the material to tear or crack, and causing the material to travel in a straight line.

If the strip of material is to be corrugated obliquely with respect to its length, the operator may grasp either of the frames and turn it to the desired angle. The two frames being interconnected by the member 5 4, both will swing in unison on their pivots I i and will retain their parallel positions. The feeding device will swing with one of the frames and will retain its position along the median plane between the two frames.

The chains along the sides of the two conveyors will turn with the frames, and the rods 24 will swing on their pivots, as shown in Figure 4, to assume the desired angularity with respect to the median plane between the frames.

It should be noted that the entire swing movement is in a horizontal plane, and that each rod retains its horizontal position, not only while passing through the horizontal stretches of the conveyors, but also when passing around the sprockets. While the sprockets have shifted with respect to one another in a fore and aft direction, still each rod is connected to both chains at the same elevation, no matter where positioned in its endless path, which is an important factor in the forming of the waves in the strip of material.

As now the strip of material is passed between the conveyors in a horizontal plane, the first rod to engage it, also approaches it while positioned horizontally, with the result that, in spite of the angularity, the entire active length of the rod strikes the material at the same time to form a uniform wave in the strip.

This feature is desirable since it prevents tearing or rupturing of the sheet material, such as would tend to occur if the rods were to engage the material in a tilting movement, beginningat one end and ending up at the other end.

Any suitable and conventional means may be employed for heat-treating and drying the material as it passes through the machine, for applying fiat sheets of material to the upper or lower surfaces of the corrugated material or both, and for spiralling the material upon a mandrel, which should be positioned and dimensioned to apply the corrugations parallel'to the axis of rotation.

. It is apparent'that it is not necessary to combine all the novel features of the present invenion in order to produce an operative machine. Where a manufacturer, for instance, desires to only corrugate material at a right angle to the length of the strip, the feature of adjustability to different angles might be omitted. Where again, the manufacturer desires to corrugate the strip at a definite single angle throughout its operation, the machine might be built to conform to that particular angle, again omitting the feature of angular adjustabiiity.

It is only where a manufacturer desire a universal machine that may be set for any desired angle, that all the novel features of the present invention should be combined into a single structure.

If any one of the rods 2| should break or become deformed, it may be readily removed, with its stubs 26, upon unscrewing of the screws 2's, for replacement by a'new one.

While we have shownone specific means for mounting the frames 2 and 3 with freedom of adjustment to produce angularity of the corrugating elements, it is apparent that any other means serving the same purpose may be substituted. The two endless conveyors, here shown as being of the same length, may be made of difierent lengths, and it is also feasible to carry the conveyors on single pairs of sprockets, in which case each rod would follow a circular path.

The rods 2|, which have been shown as single units pivoted centrally, may be made in groups of two or more parallel rods pivoted about a common center, particularly where the corrugations are to be closely spaced and the individual mounting of each rod would render the ball and socket joints too fragile for sustained service. The rods might also be made in the form of bars having multiple serrations and mounted in the same manner.

Th upper plates 3 are preferably mounted on the straps 8 with freedom of vertical adjustment, as by the bolt and slot arrangement 3 to allow of control of the depth of the corrugations.

If desired, idler sprockets may be substituted for the shoes 23.

We claim:

1. In a corrugating machine, a pair of endless conveyors, each comprising a pair of spaced chains and spaced rods connecting the same, and means engaging the chains for mounting the conveyors to present confronting sections, the rods being mounted with respect to the chains to interlace at the confronting sections, and the said 7 means at opposite sides being offset longitudinally with respect to one another to cause the rods to assume oblique positions with respect to the length of the conveyors.

2. In a corrugating machine, a pair of endless conveyors, each comprising a pair of spaced the frames when either is swung on its pivot, and

a conveyor having side chains trained over the sprockets and connecting links jointed to the side elements to change their angular positions in response to frame movements.

4. In a corrugating machine, a pair of frames having registering sprockets therein, a pivotal support for each frame, a spacing member having pivotal connection With both frames and dimensioned to maintain the frames in parallel relation when either frame is swung on its pivot, and a conveyor having side elements trained over the sprockets and connecting rods jointed to the side elements with the joints disposed in vertical planes defined, at each frame, by its pivotal support and its pivotal connection to the spacing member.

5. In a corrugating machine, a horizontal base, a pair of frames having registering sprockets therein, a pivotal support on the base for each frame allowing the latter to swing in a horizontal plane, a spacing member having pivotal connection with both frames and dimensioned to maintain the frames in parallel relation when either frame is swung on its pivot, means in the base for guiding the pivotal connection of each frame about its pivotal support and a conveyor having side elements trained over the sprockets and connecting links jointed to the side elements with the joints disposed in vertical planes defined, at each frame, by its pivotal support and its pivotal connection to the spacing member.

6. In a corrugating machine, an endless conveyor comprising a pair of spaced and parallel side chains adapted for training over sprockets and a series of parallel and spaced rods connecting the side chains, the rods being positioned to project outside the main body portions of the side chains.

7. In a corrugating machine, an endless conveyor comp-rising a pair of spaced and parallel side chains adapted for training over sprockets, each side chain comprising a series of pivots and links connecting the same, and registering links having stubs projecting toward one another, and transverse rods universally connected to the stubs, the stub supporting links being made to project outwardly from the chain bodies so as to position the rods outside the main chain bodies. 8. In a corrugating machine, a pair of sprockets, each mounted in upright position and with freedom of swinging movement on a vertical axis, and a conveyor comprising a pair of side chains trained over the two sprockets and transverse rods pivotally connecting the side chains so as to change their angularity in response to swinging movements of the sprockets.

9. In a corrugating machine, a vertical frame, means for swingably mounting the same on a vertical axis, a second vertical frame, means for swingably mounting the same on a vertical axis and in confronting and spaced relation to the parallel relation to one another, and a conveyor carried by the sprockets to stretch across the space between the frames, the conveyor having cross-rods operable to change their angularity when the frames are swung on their respective axes, and means for feeding a strip of material to the conveyor carried by one of the frames.

11. In a corrugating machine, a vertical frame, means for swing-ably mounting the same on a vertical axis, a second vertical frame, means for swinga-bly mounting the same on a vertical axis and in confronting and spaced relation to the first frame, upper and lower sprockets carried by each frame in parallel relation thereto, and a pair of conveyors mounted on the sprockets so as to present confronting sections, the conveyors having cross-rods operable to change their angu larity when the frames are swung on their respective axes and mounted to interlace at the confronting sections.

12. In a co-rrugating machinea vertical frame, means for swingably mounting the same on a vertical axis, a second vertical frame, means for swingably mounting the same on a vertical axis and in confronting and spaced relation to the first frame, upper and lower sprockets carried by each frame in parallel relation thereto, and a pair of conveyors mounted on the sprockets so as to present confronting sections, the conveyors having cross-rods operable to change their angularity when the frames are swung on their respective axes and mounted to interlace at the confronting sections, one of the frames having means mounted thereon for feeding a strip of material between the confronting sections of the conveyors.

13. In a corrugating machine adapted to apply corrugations to a strip of material fed thereto, a pair of endless conveyors having confrontingportions through which the strip of material is fed to corrugate the same, each of said conveyors comprising spaced parallel elongated members about which the material is bent,

a pair of endless carriers, and means forming universal mounting connections between the ends of said elongated members and the carriers, the carriers of each conveyor being disposed in spaced parallel planes with said members extending non-perpendicularly to the same, the confronting portions of the conveyors having said members interlaced to apply oppositely faced corrugations which extend obliquely across the material.

RUSSELL E. OSBORNE. STANLEY I-I. MOYER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

